The entire soccer world shed tears as Christian Atsu’s wife was seen mourning the death of her husband. Christian Atsu‘s wife, Marie-Claire Rupio, was seen at St. James Park on Saturday evening, along with her two sons. Newcastle United, Atsu’s former club, played host to Liverpool during their Premier League clash last Saturday. Before the match, there was a tribute to the memory of Atsu, followed by a minute’s applause.
Christian Atsu’s wife and her three children were invited to the game between Liverpool and Newcastle United. During the tribute, Marie-Claire was seen breaking down in tears, while her two sons joined in during the applause. The Liverpool fans also paid their tribute to Atsu with a heartfelt rendition of their anthem, You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Christian Atsu was declared dead on Saturday morning after his body was found beneath a pile of rubble in Hatay. Atsu, who used to play for Hatayspor, had been missing for the last 12 days since the devastating earthquake struck parts of Turkey and Syria. Although it was initially reported that Atsu was alive and in a hospital, the reports turned out to be false. Atsu’s agents finally confirmed the soccer star’s death last Saturday.
Fans mourn with Christian Atsu’s wife
As soon as the news of Christian Atsu’s death became public, thousands of soccer fans as well as professional soccer stars poured in with tributes and condolences. A lot of fans present at St. James Park last Saturday paid their tribute to the Ghanian star. The social media platforms have been flooded with messages from the fans, each paying their respect and mourning the death of Christian Atsu.
One fan reacted in a heartbreaking way fitting for this loss, “He Loved his Wife, He loved his kids, He Loved England, He Loved Ghana, He Loved Chelsea, He loved Newcastle I still hope that this is just a bad dream”
Here are a series of Twitter reactions:
Sharing these videos is not the best. His children might come across it in the future.
— Roman216 (@MrRoman216) February 19, 2023
He Loved his Wife, He loved his kids, He Loved England, He Loved Ghana, He Loved Chelsea, He loved Newcastle
I still hope that this is just a bad dream
— #27 (@Rogers27P) February 19, 2023
Sad to see. May God bless them and keep them under his wings especially the two kids and give them the courage and comfort and compassion!
— Loyalty Confidence (@Franc73859462) February 19, 2023
I bet He’s built a great life for his family tho. Seemed like a genuine guy with all the charity work he did back over in Ghana. May he RIP❤️
— TH$GNACHO🇶🇦 (@Cr7MUFC_) February 19, 2023
Their whole world is upside down. A sad reminder to be grateful for life 🥹
— bambina. (@Charlene19_) February 19, 2023
Sources from The Mirror reported that the Ghanian authorities will fly back the body of Christian Atsu to Ghana, where his last rites will be performed. The Ghanaian foreign ministry released a statement, which read, “The Government of Ghana is making arrangements to receive the mortal remains of the late Christian Atsu, a former Black Stars player. “
Christian Atsu’s body arrived back in Ghana on Sunday evening ahead of his planned funeral. #RIPChristianAtsu pic.twitter.com/OBSPAq91Xb
— Fredrick Gyan-Mante (@Freddie_GH) February 20, 2023
Atsu’s body was flown in on a Turkish Airlines flight on Sunday, February 19. Atsu’s family as well as Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey accompanied Atsu’s remains on the flight. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s vice president, also said that Ghana will do everything to provide Christian Atsu a befitting burial.